Andhra Pradesh Ist to Roll Out PM‑SETU as Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster Plan by AM/NS India and NAMTECH Gets Govt Approval

Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in India to operationalize the ₹60,000‑crore PM‑SETU scheme, with the National Steering Committee approving the Strategic Investment Plan for the Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster led by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) and NAMTECH. This marks the first industry‑academic partnership cleared under PM‑SETU, setting a precedent for ITI transformation nationwide.

The approval was accorded during the 3rd National Steering Committee Meeting convened by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi.

The milestone represents the first concrete step towards implementing PM-SETU's vision of transforming Government ITIs into industry-managed, outcome-oriented institutions through deep partnerships between State Governments and leading industry players.

Andhra Pradesh First to Operationalize PM‑SETU

Key Highlights

• Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM‑SETU)
• Approval: First‑ever Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) cleared by the National Steering Committee (NSC)
• Location: Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster, Andhra Pradesh
• Partners: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (Anchor Industry Partner) + NAMTECH (Academic Partner)
• Outcome: Andhra Pradesh becomes the first state to operationalize PM‑SETU’s industry‑led Hub‑and‑Spoke model

National Steering Committee Meeting

• Date & Venue: 3rd NSC meeting, Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi
• Chair: Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
• Participants: Directorate General of Training, Capacity Building Commission, NCVET, ministries (Commerce, Heavy Industries, Labour), state governments, industry leaders (HAL, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, ITC, AM/NS India), and development partners (ADB, World Bank)

Significance of the Approval

• First Anchor Industry Partner (AIP): AM/NS India onboarded under PM‑SETU
• Model for Other States: Visakhapatnam cluster expected to serve as a template for industry‑driven vocational training reforms
• Industry‑Managed ITIs: Transition from government‑run to outcome‑oriented, industry‑aligned institutions
• Future Workforce: Aligns vocational education with evolving sectoral demands and advanced manufacturing needs

PM‑SETU Scheme Overview

Feature	Details
Budget	₹60,000 crore
Scope	Transform 1,000 Government ITIs
Model	Industry‑led Hub‑and‑Spoke
Focus	Infrastructure modernization, industry engagement, employability outcomes
Goal	Establish National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) in high‑growth sectors for Viksit Bharat 2047

Next Steps

• Pipeline: 32 States/UTs have set up State Steering Committees; 12 have floated RFPs for Anchor Industry Partners
• Implementation Phase: Several proposals nearing closure; more SIPs expected to be approved in coming months
• National Impact: Accelerates India’s vocational education reforms, ensuring ITIs remain responsive to future workforce requirements